VClab: Visual Computing Lab, NOVA LINCS (Algarve)

University of the Algarve, Institute of Engineering, Faro, Portugal 

Since 2012, the lab has served as a hub for cutting-edge research in computer science with a particular emphasis on applied research. We are committed to doing research and developing intelligent systems that always place the user or human at the forefront of the whole product or service development cycle. Human-centered AI, affective computing, human-computer interaction, computer vision, machine learning, adaptative interfaces, human senses, data science, operations research, cybersecurity are topics of research.

VClab researchers are integrated into NOVA LINCS research center, in the group Multimodal Systems.

Humans are equipped to read one other’s emotions through subtle body language, expressions on the face, words that are spoken, or even just tone of voice. They use this ability when they communicate between themselves, changing the way they pass the message based on those responses/emotions/sentiments. In this sense, machines should/must be designed to cooperate or learn to cooperate with human beings. The interfaces - machines - must be able to evaluate human’s behaviors and adapt to human’s goals and behaviors, in the same way, it occurs in interpersonal relationships, i.e., the goal is to support the user’s individual characteristics, tasks, contexts, and feelings so the machine provides the “correct” information and functionality at the “right” time and in the “right” way. Following the above, the research is centered on augmented/artificial intelligence as we work to create algorithms and models that can learn from data and predict or make judgments. All of this falls into a paradigm known as human-centered AI (HCAI), creating artificial intelligence systems that amplify and augment rather than displace human abilities. It seeks to preserve human control in a way that ensures artificial intelligence meets our needs while also operating transparently, delivering equitable outcomes, and respecting privacy. HCAI prioritizes the ethics and responsible development of AI systems by placing human needs, values, and well-being at the heart of AI design and decision-making processes. The VClab devoted research team looks for uncharted territory, creative answers, and practical issues via the lens of visual computing. 

HCAI: human-centered artificial intelligence has the power to transform and better the world, and is one of the lab major research lines. One fundamental topic of research is affective computing. In order to foster more individualized and sympathetic relationships between people and technology, we strive to provide our systems with the capacity to comprehend, act and react to human emotions and sentiments. Numerous potentials are presented by this sector, from enhancing systems for providing mental health assistance, to socially assistive robotics (SAR), to changing user interfaces across numerous industries. Human-computer interaction (HCI) is (of course) one of the main topics of study. The researchers are aware of how important human-machine interactions are in determining how easily and effectively technology solutions can be used. HCI places a strong emphasis on comprehending how users engage with technology and creating user interfaces that are simple, effective, and pleasant. Our HCI researchers use a user-centric approach, taking into account the demands, preferences, and constraints of each (individual) user. The team work to build adaptative interfaces that improve user experiences and enable people to connect with technology naturally. We shape systems to immersively explore the human 5 senses.

AO: anomalous observations is the second major research line in the lab, focusing on data analysis for fault detection and prevention in machines and infrastructure consumption, as well as in behaviour analysis an cybersecurity. The lab is in line with the SDG goals, for instance, by predicting human and plant needs, to reduce water consumption. Our experience enables us to create cutting-edge applications and push the frontiers of what is possible. Our data science efforts in the big data age focus on gleaning valuable insights from enormous and complicated datasets. We discover trends, find hidden patterns, and extract important insights that may help people make well-informed decisions across a variety of disciplines through the use of sophisticated analytics approaches. A new line of investigation in the lab is cybersecurity, the identification of unusual incidents and anomalies to data points, or patterns that deviate significantly from an established hypothesis or expected behavior, i.e., study and develop technologies, measures, or practices for preventing cyberattacks or mitigating their impact.

In a nutshell, we are a small group of researchers that is passionate about innovation, and their varied portfolios are a reflection of their unwavering commitment to quality. The team is always up for the challenge, whether it's inventing cutting-edge computer vision algorithms, building intelligent systems that can adapt to changing settings, or using data science to uncover useful insights. We thrive on difficulties here at the Visual Computing Lab.